Gupo, Waller rearguard tons give Eagles win

Mashonaland Eagles fashioned an eight-wicket win against Southern Rocks on the back of first-innings centuries from their Nos. 8 and 9, Simbarashe Gupo and Nathan Waller. It seemed like medium pacer Tafadzwa Muzarawetu's eight-wicket haul, to bowl Rocks out for 196, had gone in vain when Eagles had slipped to 106 for 7, but then the lower order dug their heels in. No. 7 Tinotendo Mutombodzi was run out for 49, but Gupo and Waller held firm, giving the team a 140-run lead. In the second innings, several Rocks batsmen got starts - three got into the 80s - but none could kick on to the big score. Offspinner Keith Kulinga was the most effective of the Eagles bowlers, taking 4 for 81. A target off 222 could have tested their batsmen, but this time the top order came good, knocking off the required runs at a brisk pace. Mark Vermeulen was the main contributor, remaining unbeaten on 102 as Eagles eased home.

Mountaineers cruised to an innings and 40-run win in their opening game of the Logan Cup, against Matabeleland Tuskers. The win was set up by Mark Pettini's top first-class score of 209, which powered Mountaineers to 435. Mountaineers spinners Tapiwa Mufudza and Wellington Masakadza then triggered a collapse - Tuskers went from 217 for 4 to 279 all out - and their captain Tino Mawoyo enforced the follow-on. The Tuskers batsmen did much worse the second time round, falling to 116 all out as only three players got into double digits and the Mountaineers bowlers shared the wickets around.